What are the signs of leukemia in a teenager?

Common symptoms of leukaemia are:

• Feeling really tired a lot of the time, breathlessness, dizziness, headaches and pale skin.
• Lots of infections that won’t go away.
• Bruising easily or unusual bleeding – like nosebleeds, very heavy periods or bleeding gums when you brush your teeth.

What were the first signs your child has leukemia?

Lack of appetite, stomachache, and weight loss If leukemia cells have caused swelling in the liver, kidneys, or spleen, these organs can press against the stomach. The result may be a feeling of fullness or discomfort, a lack of appetite, and subsequent weight loss.

Do teens survive leukemia?

The 5-year survival rate for teens ages 15 to 19 is 66%. However, the survival rates for AML vary based on the subtype. For instance, research indicates that a subtype called acute promyelocytic leukemia has a 5-year survival rate of more than 80%.

What type of leukemia is common in teens?

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers. Most childhood leukemias are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Most of the remaining cases are acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chronic leukemias are rare in children.

How is leukemia treated in teens?

The treatments offered to teenagers with leukemia are similar to the treatments for adults with leukemia. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be highly effective, although some patients eventually require a blood or bone marrow transplant. Targeted drugs or surgery might be recommended in rare situations.

Why do teens get leukemia?

The exact cause of most childhood leukemias is not known. Most children with leukemia do not have any known risk factors. Still, scientists have learned that certain changes in the DNA inside normal bone marrow cells can cause them to grow out of control and become leukemia cells.

Does leukemia come on suddenly?

Acute leukemia may cause signs and symptoms that are similar to the flu. They come on suddenly within days or weeks. Chronic leukemia often causes only a few symptoms or none at all. Signs and symptoms usually develop gradually.

What are the early warning signs of leukemia?

The early warning signs of leukemia include paleness, fatigue, weight loss, a tendency to bruise easily, repeated infections, and heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, such as nosebleeds. Any of these symptoms can appear suddenly in acute leukemia. Normally, a person with acute leukemia will feel sick due to these symptoms and see their doctor.

Are you aware of the early signs of leukemia?

Many types of leukemia produce no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Eventually, symptoms may include any of the following: Anemia and related symptoms, such as fatigue, pallor, and a general feeling of illness. A tendency to bruise or bleed easily, including bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in the stool or urine.

Is leukemia a life threatening disease or is it curable?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is one of several subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer that originates in a person’s bone marrow. APL is caused by a genetic mutation, but it is not a hereditary condition. APL is a potentially life-threatening disease; however, it is the most curable form of adult leukemia.

Is it possible to have leukemia without any usual symptoms?

Sometimes a patient with acute leukemia has no symptoms or has normal blood work even a few weeks or months before the diagnosis. The change can be quite dramatic. Extreme fatigue is usually the first symptom that causes acute leukemia patients to seek medical care.